Crypto Core Education

What is a token vesting schedule?

A token vesting schedule is a predefined timeline that controls when allocated tokens become available to their holders, releasing them gradually rather than all at once. It commonly applies to founders, team members, and early investors. A typical schedule includes a cliff, a waiting period before any tokens unlock, followed by linear monthly releases. For example, a one-year cliff with three-year vesting means nothing unlocks for twelve months, then portions release each month thereafter. Vesting aligns incentives and signals how future supply will enter circulation, which is a technical and structural feature.